Behind Enemy Lines: Sheffield Wednesday

IN another tricky away tie, the Lions head to Hillsborough on Tuesday night to face 16th-placed Sheffield Wednesday, who are only below Neil Harris’ men on goal difference.

Carlos Carvalhal’s side had promotion ambitions after two successive top-six finishes, but are falling well short of expectations so far this season and Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Barnsley was a third game without a win.

Millwall have another chance to pick up their first away win of the Championship season on Tuesday after their creditable 0-0 draw at Cardiff three days ago.

Lucas Ball spoke to Olympic modern pentathlete and Owls fan Katy Livingston ahead of the match.

Twitter: @katylivo

Why do you support Wednesday?

My dad is from Sheffield and is a big Owls fan so there really was no other choice.

I should be a Middlesbrough fan by location but I followed in my dad’s footsteps and have supported Sheffield Wednesday ever since I can remember.

What’s your best season following the Owls?

The 2011-12 season was memorable for not only winning promotion back to the Championship but the manner in which it was achieved.

We were quite a few points behind Sheffield United at one stage but beat them in a derby match and then slowly clawed the gap back, overtaking them with only one game of the season to go and putting promotion firmly in our own hands.

The final game of the season was against Wycombe who had already been relegated. As they brought only a small crowd to Hillsborough, Wednesday fans were given the away end and so all four stands were full of home supporters.

The atmosphere was incredible, and the cheer when the scoreboard showed Sheffield United had gone behind was almost as loud as when we went on to score ourselves.

Is Carlos Carvalhal the right man for the job?

At the beginning of this season, I would have answered yes. I thought that Carlos could continue his good work of the previous two seasons and get us at least to the play-offs. Now, I’m not so sure.

We’ve had some disappointing results recently, including being outplayed and beaten at home by local rivals Sheffield United.

But it’s not just the results, there have been some poor performances, including deservedly losing twice to Bolton (in the league and League Cup).

At the moment, things have gone stale and it might need a change of coach to turn things around.

What needs to be added to the squad to mount a play-off push for the third consecutive season?

We lack pace throughout the team so I would start there. Also we don’t have an out-and-out winger, so having a winger as an option would be handy.

As well as that, when centre-back Glenn Loovens is out we seem to lack a leader and organiser at the back. We need a suitable back-up or replacement for him, in my opinion.

Who are Wednesday’s danger men?

I think we’ve missed Fernando Forestieri hugely this season. He always has the potential to display a bit of magic that can turn a game around. Having said that, Gary Hooper and Steven Fletcher are a great combination up front together.

Which Millwall players will the Owls need to keep a close eye on?

All of them! Saying that, Jed Wallace looks like he’s been your best player this season with some goals and assists as well as threatening runs.

Also, Jordan Archer looks to be in fine form, so we may find it difficult to beat him.

What’s your predicted Wednesday formation and line-up?

Carlos likes to rotate the team so it’s difficult to predict. However, it may be…

4-4-2

Westwood

Hunt Lees Van Aken Fox

Bannan Lee Reach Wallace

Fletcher Hooper

Finally, a score prediction?

I think we are due a turnaround in fortunes – so I’m going for Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Millwall.